In Group A, the record world champion Russia started with a hard-fought 4: 3 (1: 1, 1: 1, 2: 1) against the Czech Republic. Slovakia topped the table with 5: 2 (3: 0, 0: 0, 2: 2) against Belarus.

Two seconds before the first third siren (20th) Mix Indrasis and Oscar Batna (29th) scored goals for the Latvians, who celebrated their first World Cup victory against the ice hockey homeland in their 13th attempt. While the host team has the oldest team of the tournament, the Canadian team has brought the youngest team. Big NHL stars are missing, but the squad mainly consists of highly talented talent

19 seconds before the end (60th) Anton Burdasso (5th), Artjome Schwez-Rogovoi (36th), Alexander Barbano (46th) and Mikhail Grigorenko scored goals for Russia, who have only six NHL pros in their line-up. Jacob Flake (10th), Jacob Vrana (38th) and Dominic Kubalik (58th) were successful for the Czechs.

Slovak goals were scored by Christian Pospisil (4th / 12th), Peter Sehlrich (10th / 59th) and Marek Hrivik (7th). Mikhail Stefanovitsch (54th) and Yegor Sharangowitz (55th) shortened for Belarus.

(SID)